Objective To observe the methylation status of p16 tumor suppressor gene in human soft tissue leiomyosarcoma (LMS) and its relationship with p16 protein expression. Methods Methylation specific PCR (MSP) assay was used to analyze the methylation status of 5′CpG island promoter / exon I region of p16 tumor suppressor gene in 38 LMS, 10 leiomyomas and 5 normal smooth muscle tissues. p16 expression in these tissues were examined by immunohistochemical assay. Results Hypermethylation of p16 was observed in ...